Starting up a 5.5! I need tips!

[MrMexReefer]

hello everyone!

I have a 5.5 gallon brand new tank that is dying to be set up as a nano. I mostly want to just keep zoanthids and some mushrooms in this tiny tank. My question, is what kind of filtration do I need for such a small tank? I have one of those tiny penguin bio wheel filters laying around, if I tossed in a bag of nitrifying bacteria substrate, would that small filter be okay?

how much sand should I use? with these small tanks, is BB better, or are DSB better?

next question.. does anyone recommend a lighting set up for thise size tank? (standard all glass aquarium 5.5 gallon) like I said, all I want in there is zoas and some ricordias.

finally, I wanted to paint the rear glass panel... what kind of paint is recommended, and does that panel have to be prepped for painting by scuffing it up and stuff?


thanks for your help!!!

 

[sophia101]

Hello,
Im not so sure about the filter..for a small tank like that, i woud say it's fine. As far as the sand goes..will you be wanting to keep any type of bottom dwelling invert or sandsifter? If so, you will want a SB...it doesnt really need to be deep. Maybe an inch or two...really personal preference to be honest with you. I beleive though its like an inch per lb. So you can buy just a few lbs and you'll be fine As far as lights go..do you want a hood or no? You may even be able to keep a small goby (clown goby etc). Go to www.drsfostersmith.com click 'fish' then lighting fixtures..you can check em' all out there cause im not so sure of your tank dimensions and what your looking for. You could get away with 10-12 watts of light per gallon (compacts flouresents or something). Good Luck!

 

[MrMexReefer]

hmm I will go with 1.5 inches or so, just to keep the floor neat maybe just a couple emeralds to keep things tidy, and a couple snails. I don't think I will have a hood... unless my dad wants to help me build one.. haha why, would it be best to make a hood and get a DIY pc lighting kit to mount to the inside? I mostly just want to have enough light to propagate zoanthids like crazy

 

[jmac4978]

I have a 5.5g nano and am very pleased with it. The key is water changes. I do a 1 gallon water change every saturday and it really pays off. I have what many people consider "nuisance algaes", but I want them because it provides some natural food for my foxface and purple tang in my bigger tank. Plus, this tank is a good place for pods to live and thrive which also makes a good snack for the fish in other tanks. Here's some pics.

As for filtration, I bought an AC70 and did the DIY into a fuge which is widely known on this site. There is no filter media in there, just some sand, rocks, macro algae, and I throw my carbon/ammonia remover/phoslock in there too. The light is a screw in 13watt coralife 50/50.

As for your penguin biowheel filter, I dont know anything about it. Although, I stay away from biowheels because they produce lots of nitrates.

Sand would be a personal preference. I chose to use sand and put in about an inch and a half. Here's a full tank shot.

For lighting, I use a Sunpaq 70w MH setup. I am very happy with this light and it doesnt limit you on what you can put in your tank. I just took the step into SPS a couple days ago and they look very good so far.

Here's the light/tank/stand...

To paint the back, I used the Krylon Fusion stuff. It worked very well and dried quickly. No need to rough it up first, just make sure its clean.

The only fish I have in there is a Yellow Watchman Goby. I really like him but he likes to hide and I dont see him too much. I have a normal cleanup crew as well. Here are some of my corals...

I just put the encrusting gorgonians in here two days ago, the polyps are slowly all opening up, but are not all open yet.

Hope this helps. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[MrMexReefer]

AWESOME POST JMAC!!! Thanks for the info! exactly what i was looking for!

 

[MrMexReefer]

how much did that light set you back????

 

[jmac4978]

Its on sale here for $199.

That Fish Place

 

[reeferchickdc]

I use a small H/O live filter on my 5.5 nano with a deep sand bed. I have fish and corals. My filter is packed with some green bubbly algae and small feather dusters that spill into the tank that I also feed to my larger tank. For light, I just got the k2 viper 70watt MH. My corals are getting brighter every day, and it is sweet. I do weekly water changes (gallon or so) using water from the big tank. It is working for me and my tank is thriving and has been for over a year. I'd put up pics if I knew how? good luck